According to the other prostitutes, the victim had to hand over half of her income, but she herself denied that there was any exploitation. Telephone investigation showed that she did indeed receive her orders through Ana-Maria S.. The sex worker also asked to change her profile because she no longer wanted unprotected sex. Her partner, 34-year-old Nicolae S., was addressed as ‘boss’ and collected her revenue. The Romanian was previously arrested in Scotland for pimping.
Economic benefit
The Public Prosecution Service demanded fifteen months and one year in prison for Ana-Maria and Nicolae S. respectively, possibly with a postponement. But the defense successfully requested an acquittal for human trafficking. “The alleged victim says she came to Belgium of her own free will to escape poverty,” said master Maya Vanden Bogaerde.